When I was in college in the 1960s, trying to figure out
what to do with the rest of my life, I read an article about computers becoming
one of the emerging new technologies and that there would soon be a big demand for
programmers. It sounded exotic and potentially lucrative so I decided to become
a computer programmer.
Getting in on the ground floor of an emerging technology
wasn't a bad idea. I started writing programs in 1965, when IBM cards carried
80 characters of data and a 4k computer was the size of a Buick. By 1977, I had
become an independent computer programming contractor and, in 2001, I began
teaching college computer courses. It's been a good run.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.) recently
published a list of 10 emerging technologies. If you actually find this comprehensible
and exciting, you may have what it takes to become a professional nerd.
1) Epigenetics – At any given moment, a single human cell
may have 20,000 active human genes. Chemical modifications can interfere with
the process of the creating protein thereby shutting down the genes.
Epigenetics is a branch of genetics examining such chemical variations and
diagnosing cancers at the early stages.
2) Nuclear Reprogramming – Biologists believe that stem
cells will be beneficial in treating such diseases as Parkinson's and multiple
sclerosis. They're attempting to produce the properties of embryonic stem cells
without destroying embryos, thereby placating Christians who consider research
using human embryos to be immoral.
3) Universal Authorization – The development of an online
identification system to protect the privacy of Internet users and online
businesses. This involves an "interoperable authentication system"
that would allow users to sign on just once then go from website to website, or
access multiple sites, securely.
4) Cognitive Radio – Wireless devices, such as laptops, cell
phones and sensor networks, are becoming increasingly more common. However, the
bandwidth range allotted by the FCC for such gadgets is limited, thus
mathematical modeling based on game theory is required to allocate unused
spectrum areas among devices.
5) Diffusion Tensor Imaging – As a newly developed variation
of MRI, this allows scientists to study the connections between different areas
of the brain, and differentiate between normalcy and schizophrenia.
6) Nanobiomechanics – The study of minute mechanical forces
on a human cell allows medical researchers to view ways in which diseased cells
differ from healthy cells. This is particularly helpful in detecting cancer
cells.
7) Comparative Interactomics – In molecular research, an array
of interactions among genes, metabolites, RNA and proteins is known as the
interactome. By comparing the pathways of the interactomes of different
species, biotechnologists hope to discover new drugs without the need for
experiments done on animals.
8) Nanomedicine – Through the use of multipurpose
nanoparticles, medical researchers hope to diagnose and treat cancer, as well
as most other diseases. An injection of nanoparticles would make it possible to
locate cancerous or inflammatory cells, latch onto them and change them (or
destroy them) directly.
9) Pervasive Wireless – Pagers, cell phones and other
wireless gadgets employ a diverse array of protocols (distinct codes). In an
attempt to tie collections of protocols together, these devices would be linked
to a pervasive wireless network making them compatible (and linked) by
utilizing a common protocol.
10) Stretchable Silicon – First, electronic circuitry was
embedded onto rigid silicon chips. Then it became flexible by stamping organic
semiconductors onto plastic sheets, thus "smart" credit cards could
carry bendable microchips. The next step is allowing complete electronic
circuits to work properly when bent or stretched.
One of the problems with a technical profession is that it's
always changing and you must continue to keep up or be left in the dust. After
40+ years of computer technology (programming, systems analysis, managing and
teaching), I've had enough. I'm down to my last nine brain cells and am saving
them for the next time I do taxes.
Technology doesn't always make life easier -- I'm still
trying to figure out how to use my new can opener.
___________
Quote for the Day -- "The future is not a
gift -- it is an achievement." Albert Einstein
___________
Bret Burquest is the author of 10 books. He
lives in the Ozark Mountains with a dog named Buddy Lee and has given up
writing computer programs for writing books, blogs and tweets.
___________
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